city and cinema

 In the center of the city, an amphitheater was built in ancient times, a library centered on a monastery in the Middle Ages, and a museum exhibiting artifacts brought from the colonies in modern times. In contemporary times, cinemas have been added. Now, performance halls, libraries, museums, and movie theaters each play their own roles, while also performing mutually convergence and complex functions.

 Culture is a concept that is etymologically opposed to nature. Cities are inherently centers of man-made rather than natural processing, construction and production. A city takes on its own color through communication that harmonizes with the diverse voices of citizens and forms of life, and through a way of digesting what was introduced from the outside in its own way, recognizing problems and finding alternatives to determine the central direction of urban development. So the city comes alive as a living organism.

  The living organism of city changes and develops through culture and art. Because the arts and culture are the best representation of all that fills the city's needs and shortcomings, enables us to recognize problems and find solutions, and gives us the power to move. Among them, the film is the most modern art genre which are fully equipped with power of communication and dissemination, power providing current affairs and information, and above all, technological and industrial power. This is why it provides the most outstanding public sphere.

The city of Changwon is a “sanctuary for democracy” where live citizens who resisted the dictatorship in order to turn the wrong stream of history in the right direction. The self-esteem and self-esteem of citizens are bound to be high! The annual Changwon International Democratic Film Festival(CIDFF), held here, celebrated its 4th anniversary in 2022. This festival reminds us that the March 15th 1960 Uprising in Changwon and the 10·18 Buma Democratic Uprising in 1979 are important events not only in Korean modern history but also in the transformation of world history. We intend to promote the development of democracy in solidarity with various cultures around the world and pass on the spirit to future generations.

However, it is difficult to be sure that the festival will be held again next year. This year's event was able to be held thanks for a small amount of government support, the use of space and publicity expenses of the Changwon Culture Foundation, and the use of the outdoor space of the Chrysanthemum Festival. With the conviction that it will provide enough attractions for citizens!

Unfortunately, local governments remain indifferent to this film festival. The environment of video culture in Gyeongnam is dangerously poor. In addition, it is the only metropolitan local government in Korea where the Film Commission and Contents Agency do not exist, and it is also the place where the budget for video culture is the smallest in the country. The city of Changwon even stopped subsidizing equipment rental fees for Cineart Rhizome. In such a policy environment, it may be a natural phenomenon that the public does not respond to any appeal that emphasizes the need for a continuation of the art cinema and the importance of film festivals.

 However, Cineart Rhizome and CIDFF have always overcome this crisis. Changwon and Gyeongnam became the only places where high-quality film festivals were held without a full- fledged support from local governments. It is the product of the sacrifice and effort of citizens to protect the 'Holy Land for Democracy' through the film festival. Changwon, as the holy land for democracy, is such a city. However, experiencing a series of events, I am deeply concerned that this region might be an area where ‘democracy’ and ‘government’ are in conflict. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the competencies of awake citizens will grow with the film festival because the combination of 'city' and 'film' is 'democracy'.

Chairman of the Executive Commission

Hyo-Sun Ha